Pulteneytown People’s Project

What do they do? / Dè bhitheas iad a’ dèanamh?

Youth engagement, training and development form an important part of the activities of the company.

The official opening of the new Pulteney Centre, owned and managed by PPP, took place on 6th December 2012. The Centre offers a range of training and recreational activities including life long learning, youth support, child care and supervised toddlers and children’s play areas. The Centre also provides multi-functional social space, a community café, supported office, work and event space, and runs a cinema on Saturdays.

The Journey / An Turas

The beginning – HIE’s involvement / Mar a tha HIE an sàs

Pulteneytown had been seen as a depressed area over a long time and continues to evidence significant indicators of multiple deprivation.

Initially, with the support of HIE and European funding, two development officers were appointed for a two-year fixed term to establish arrangements that could carry the process forward. HIE continued to provide support on a project intervention basis as the scope and range of activities being addressed by PPP grew.

Increasingly PPP began to adopt a business approach with regard to the delivery of services and on the introduction of Account Management it became an obvious candidate to become an account managed social enterprise.

HIE’s contribution / An taic bho HIE

Financial support of up to £400,000 was provided towards the construction of the £3.5 million Pulteney Centre.

Thereafter, support has targeted capacity building across a range of requirements that recognises the need to address a step change in operational capacity that the new Centre provides. It is anticipated that this category of support will continue during the first few years of the Centre’s operation.

This incorporates management, strategy and organisational development, quality accreditation and training. PPP has also taken advantage of the HIE TalentScotland graduate and summer placement schemes.

Expected Outcomes / Na Builean

PPP will deliver a significant impact on the long term regeneration of Pulteneytown, with youth at its heart.

The impacts will be reflected in engagement, education, training, employment, health and wellbeing and ultimately in the indicators of multiple deprivation.

The Pulteney Centre will operate as a self-sustaining, non-profit-distributing social enterprise supporting 24 FTEs.